It was a wise move for John McCauley and company to shut down Deervana, Deer Tick's short-lived but much beloved Nirvana homage act, before it overwhelmed their 'real' band.

Especially since 'Something to Brag About,' 'Let's All Go to the Bar,' and anthemic, calling-card opener 'The Bump' ("we're full-grown men! / but we act like kids!"), all raucous standouts from their revelatory fourth album, are actually the best replacements songs in 25 years.

There's a lot more Westerberg than Cobain - in McCauley's ragged - voice and loose-limbed commitment to boozy - arrested development. More clear-headed moments like 'Make Believe' and 'Electric' provide relief, in both senses of the term.